Unequal Opportunity Disaster: How Marginalized Communities are Environmentally at Risk

The pervasiveness of Neoliberalism has influenced the Earth’s geology by introducing means of development that cause climate change. This research further examines the role it plays when dealing with the marginalization of various American communities and their vulnerability to environmental threats. When dealing with the increasing “natural” disasters brought about by climate change, storms occurring now exceed the limits of flood protection infrastructure that have not been adequately prepared for the drastic changes currently being undergone by the environment. Additionally, the free market urges that real estate developers continue to expand and sell homes - no matter the cost. As proven in the research conducted, these dangers increase exponentially in marginalized communities as they have been strategically located to endure the brunt of environmental threats. Case studies that will be discussed in this paper revolve around groups in Miami, Houston, New York City, New Orleans, and other locations share similar narratives of increased vulnerability to flooding as well as other environmental hazards. Additional fieldwork conducted in Mamaroneck, New York discusses flood-zones throughout the village that are mostly populated by poor, black, and/or Latino communities. Findings in Mamaroneck parallel the various case studies examined and mirror the macro-sociological and anthropological relationship between capitalism and climate change within a local context.